History of The PFA and Priory Farm Airstrip
Priory Farm Aviators began as a branch (or ‘Strut’) of what was then the Popular Flying Association and is now the Light Aircraft Association (LAA).
In the early 1980s, founder member, Peter Sturgeon was building an Evans VP1 — a task which took him only 13 months from conception to first flight. He felt that it would be a good idea to join a Popular Flying Association strut, the nearest to his home at Brandon then being the North West Norfolk.
He attended a few meetings and found it all very friendly, but it didn't really seem to match what he considered a Strut was all about. He suggested to the Co-Ordinator that, perhaps, he would like Peter to take over for a while. At first he agreed, but when he realised that Peter's aim was to expand the Strut, his acquiescence was withdrawn.
In retrospect, this was probably the best thing that could have happened, because it enabled Peter to create a brand new Strut incorporating his ideas. It began in a modest way, with early, unofficial meetings being conducted at his home. Being centrally located in the district of Breckland, it seemed a natural choice for the name of the newly-formed Strut.
The first formal meetings were held in local pubs and charges for a room were modest, provided those present made good use of the bar! A few speakers were engaged and some films were hired to entertain the members. At this time, Harry Sage and his son, Bob, made their appearance at a meeting and made it known that they were setting up an airstrip on their property at Priory Farm.
This seemed to be an ideal focal point for the Strut's activities, and meetings moved from Brandon to pubs nearer the Strip, and subsequently, to the Norfolk Gliding Club. Flying commenced at Priory Farm in 1982 and the first formal Fathers' Day fly-in and BBQ was held in 1983. It has been a successful and well-attended, annual event ever since, but temporarily moved to Tibenham between 2006 and 2008 because of the threat of spreading bird ’flu to the Farm's flocks of geese.
Peter subsequently handed over the job of Co-Ordinator to Tom Wilkinson, who also had a spell as Chief Marshal at the Popular Flying Association’s Rally. This started the trend for the Strut's regular involvement with the Rally and up to 2006 (when the Association briefly moved to having several, smaller 'Regional' rallies) it provided a team to help with setting up the exhibition area as well as organising a team of marshals during the fly-in.
Tom had to give up flying for medical reasons and he handed over the reins to Roger Burrows for a few years. The task then passed to Larry D'Eath for the next five years during which time we were able to acquire a second-hand Portacabin to act as a clubhouse. The members worked hard to set it up and fit it out to form a very comfortable and welcoming place to meet. A small toilet block was added later and now everything was in place to hold successful flying events.
In 1997 the Strut was proud to be voted "Strut of the Year", based on a range of activities and work for the Popular Flying Association. An engraved cup was presented to Larry by Lord Trefgarne, at the Rally, and is displayed in our clubhouse.
At the end of 2000, Stuart Slater was appointed Co-Ordinator and served in the position for two years, 2001 and 2002. His tenure coincided with an increased awareness of public liability issues and was marked by the implementation of risk minimisation procedures, most notably for the annual Fathers’ Day fly-in.
In 2003, Stuart’s many other responsibilities prompted him to stand down in favour of Mik Horn, although he continued to work on the Committee for a further two years and provide other forms of assistance at Strut events. Mik’s tenure was more brief, for personal commitments — not the least of which was an abrupt move to Southampton — curtailed his tenure. Larry D’Eath stood-in as temporary Co-Ordinator for the first quarter of 2004, pending the more permanent appointment of Paul Jackson. Paul also picked up the monthly newsletter editorship a few months later, after it had been relinquished by Mike Nairn.
Facilities at the airstrip were improved considerably, following the addition of Internet access for flight planning. Members were then able to download weather and NOTAMs immediately before taking off, and those considering turning up to fly were able to consult the Strut webcam and weather station from their home computer before making a decision to set out.
Membership of the Strut peaked at 60, nearly 50 of whom owned all, or part of an aircraft. In 2006, the Strut founder, Peter Sturgeon was appointed an honorary member in recognition of his contributions over many years in both private and professional (aircraft inspector) capacities.
During 2007, the Strut began to organise regular fly-outs of Priory Farm aircraft to other airfields in East Anglia, some to visit air shows, others purely for enjoyment and building up the experience and confidence of younger flying members. The Strut gained a new ‘parent’ on New Year’s Day 2008, when the Popular Flying Association was consigned to history and became the Light Aircraft Association.
Infrastructure improvements continued in 2008 and 2009, most visibly the purchase of a 'new' toilet block to replace the original. By late 2010, Priory Farm had 29 resident aircraft in airworthy condition, most flown by Strut members. Many more aircraft owned by Strut members were based at airstrips in the locality.
During 2012, it became clear that the practical aviation support undertaken by Breckland Strut at Priory Farm airstrip was incompatible with the LAA's national operating model. After consulting the local membership, the Committee took the difficult decision to effect an amicable separation from the LAA and continue its operations autonomously.
The question of a new name was settled in a moment of inspiration by one of the Committee members, Bill Scott. Thus was brought into being Priory Farm Aviators — a name happily perpetuating the initials and logo of the defunct Popular Flying Association. The new PFA remains separate to the management of Priory Farm airstrip — now in the hands of Bob Sage — while enjoying a close working relationship and generous support.
In January 2017, Paul Jackson stood down from the position of Chairman and John Fielding was elected to lead the PFA. By then, membership had returned to the level attained before the break with the LAA: about 60.
PFA habits changed to match the second decade of the 21st Century. Under the new leadership, starting in October 2017, formal monthly meetings were, mostly, replaced by winter gatherings at one of a number of district hostelries in rotation, while the April meeting is usually reserved for an outing to a place of interest, such as an aviation museum. Summer BBQ evenings at Priory Farm remain as popular as ever — at least, when it is not raining.
December meetings for an early Christmas dinner at the Gliding Club, and the June Fly-In & BBQ remain popular with the membership. December also is the time when the PFA awards the John McLeod Trophy to the member who has contributed most to light aviation in the previous year.
Recent aircraft building projects by PFA members have included a Chilton DW1, Trail, Sky Ranger, Zenair CH 701, Nynja and Midget Mustang. And in a new departure, the PFA gained its first ballooning member in 2018, complete with a hangared stock of deflated hot-air envelopes which are flown when conditions permit.
By the end of 2018, Priory Farm had invested in a new ground radio to meet the mandated 8.33 k/c spacing. In April 2015, the airstrip had abandoned its assigned frequency of 118.325 after the annual licence fee was raised from £100 to £1,200. Adoption of the cheaper Safetycom proved unsatisfactory and, after a year, it was changed to Microlight frequency — although that also carries chatter from other aerodromes in the region.
A hangar census in January 2019 showed 32 resident PFA aircraft at Priory Farm, not counting balloons and half a dozen preserved and long-term unserviceable aeroplanes. That year’s April meeting was held at the aircraft museum at Flixton and fly-outs to Fenland and Old Warden. Two other outings and the June (Fathers’ Day) fly-in were affected by poor weather.
The years 2020 and 2021 were badly affected by the Covid-19 epidemic, but the PFA managed a couple of fly-outs and visits to other flying groups in between national lockdowns. However, two attempts at a Priory Farm fly-in during the Summer of 2021 were both abandoned. On the plus side, there was a welcome influx of cash from the local council’s pandemic survival fund, part of which was spent on club accommodation. Most striking was the new veranda outside the club hut, named in honour of our late and popular stalwart, Paul Bennett. The weather station was modernised and remote Internet access to it greatly improved; a new surveillance camera and security lights fitted; second-hand armchairs replaced with new seating; and a new water heater installed. The January 2022 hangar census revealed 26 serviceable aircraft, plus nine dismantled and/or preserved—not counting the hot air balloons, which three members bring in by road for regular launches.
In the early 1980s, founder member, Peter Sturgeon was building an Evans VP1 — a task which took him only 13 months from conception to first flight. He felt that it would be a good idea to join a Popular Flying Association strut, the nearest to his home at Brandon then being the North West Norfolk.
He attended a few meetings and found it all very friendly, but it didn't really seem to match what he considered a Strut was all about. He suggested to the Co-Ordinator that, perhaps, he would like Peter to take over for a while. At first he agreed, but when he realised that Peter's aim was to expand the Strut, his acquiescence was withdrawn.
In retrospect, this was probably the best thing that could have happened, because it enabled Peter to create a brand new Strut incorporating his ideas. It began in a modest way, with early, unofficial meetings being conducted at his home. Being centrally located in the district of Breckland, it seemed a natural choice for the name of the newly-formed Strut.
The first formal meetings were held in local pubs and charges for a room were modest, provided those present made good use of the bar! A few speakers were engaged and some films were hired to entertain the members. At this time, Harry Sage and his son, Bob, made their appearance at a meeting and made it known that they were setting up an airstrip on their property at Priory Farm.
This seemed to be an ideal focal point for the Strut's activities, and meetings moved from Brandon to pubs nearer the Strip, and subsequently, to the Norfolk Gliding Club. Flying commenced at Priory Farm in 1982 and the first formal Fathers' Day fly-in and BBQ was held in 1983. It has been a successful and well-attended, annual event ever since, but temporarily moved to Tibenham between 2006 and 2008 because of the threat of spreading bird ’flu to the Farm's flocks of geese.
Peter subsequently handed over the job of Co-Ordinator to Tom Wilkinson, who also had a spell as Chief Marshal at the Popular Flying Association’s Rally. This started the trend for the Strut's regular involvement with the Rally and up to 2006 (when the Association briefly moved to having several, smaller 'Regional' rallies) it provided a team to help with setting up the exhibition area as well as organising a team of marshals during the fly-in.
Tom had to give up flying for medical reasons and he handed over the reins to Roger Burrows for a few years. The task then passed to Larry D'Eath for the next five years during which time we were able to acquire a second-hand Portacabin to act as a clubhouse. The members worked hard to set it up and fit it out to form a very comfortable and welcoming place to meet. A small toilet block was added later and now everything was in place to hold successful flying events.
In 1997 the Strut was proud to be voted "Strut of the Year", based on a range of activities and work for the Popular Flying Association. An engraved cup was presented to Larry by Lord Trefgarne, at the Rally, and is displayed in our clubhouse.
At the end of 2000, Stuart Slater was appointed Co-Ordinator and served in the position for two years, 2001 and 2002. His tenure coincided with an increased awareness of public liability issues and was marked by the implementation of risk minimisation procedures, most notably for the annual Fathers’ Day fly-in.
In 2003, Stuart’s many other responsibilities prompted him to stand down in favour of Mik Horn, although he continued to work on the Committee for a further two years and provide other forms of assistance at Strut events. Mik’s tenure was more brief, for personal commitments — not the least of which was an abrupt move to Southampton — curtailed his tenure. Larry D’Eath stood-in as temporary Co-Ordinator for the first quarter of 2004, pending the more permanent appointment of Paul Jackson. Paul also picked up the monthly newsletter editorship a few months later, after it had been relinquished by Mike Nairn.
Facilities at the airstrip were improved considerably, following the addition of Internet access for flight planning. Members were then able to download weather and NOTAMs immediately before taking off, and those considering turning up to fly were able to consult the Strut webcam and weather station from their home computer before making a decision to set out.
Membership of the Strut peaked at 60, nearly 50 of whom owned all, or part of an aircraft. In 2006, the Strut founder, Peter Sturgeon was appointed an honorary member in recognition of his contributions over many years in both private and professional (aircraft inspector) capacities.
During 2007, the Strut began to organise regular fly-outs of Priory Farm aircraft to other airfields in East Anglia, some to visit air shows, others purely for enjoyment and building up the experience and confidence of younger flying members. The Strut gained a new ‘parent’ on New Year’s Day 2008, when the Popular Flying Association was consigned to history and became the Light Aircraft Association.
Infrastructure improvements continued in 2008 and 2009, most visibly the purchase of a 'new' toilet block to replace the original. By late 2010, Priory Farm had 29 resident aircraft in airworthy condition, most flown by Strut members. Many more aircraft owned by Strut members were based at airstrips in the locality.
During 2012, it became clear that the practical aviation support undertaken by Breckland Strut at Priory Farm airstrip was incompatible with the LAA's national operating model. After consulting the local membership, the Committee took the difficult decision to effect an amicable separation from the LAA and continue its operations autonomously.
The question of a new name was settled in a moment of inspiration by one of the Committee members, Bill Scott. Thus was brought into being Priory Farm Aviators — a name happily perpetuating the initials and logo of the defunct Popular Flying Association. The new PFA remains separate to the management of Priory Farm airstrip — now in the hands of Bob Sage — while enjoying a close working relationship and generous support.
In January 2017, Paul Jackson stood down from the position of Chairman and John Fielding was elected to lead the PFA. By then, membership had returned to the level attained before the break with the LAA: about 60.
PFA habits changed to match the second decade of the 21st Century. Under the new leadership, starting in October 2017, formal monthly meetings were, mostly, replaced by winter gatherings at one of a number of district hostelries in rotation, while the April meeting is usually reserved for an outing to a place of interest, such as an aviation museum. Summer BBQ evenings at Priory Farm remain as popular as ever — at least, when it is not raining.
December meetings for an early Christmas dinner at the Gliding Club, and the June Fly-In & BBQ remain popular with the membership. December also is the time when the PFA awards the John McLeod Trophy to the member who has contributed most to light aviation in the previous year.
Recent aircraft building projects by PFA members have included a Chilton DW1, Trail, Sky Ranger, Zenair CH 701, Nynja and Midget Mustang. And in a new departure, the PFA gained its first ballooning member in 2018, complete with a hangared stock of deflated hot-air envelopes which are flown when conditions permit.
By the end of 2018, Priory Farm had invested in a new ground radio to meet the mandated 8.33 k/c spacing. In April 2015, the airstrip had abandoned its assigned frequency of 118.325 after the annual licence fee was raised from £100 to £1,200. Adoption of the cheaper Safetycom proved unsatisfactory and, after a year, it was changed to Microlight frequency — although that also carries chatter from other aerodromes in the region.
A hangar census in January 2019 showed 32 resident PFA aircraft at Priory Farm, not counting balloons and half a dozen preserved and long-term unserviceable aeroplanes. That year’s April meeting was held at the aircraft museum at Flixton and fly-outs to Fenland and Old Warden. Two other outings and the June (Fathers’ Day) fly-in were affected by poor weather.
The years 2020 and 2021 were badly affected by the Covid-19 epidemic, but the PFA managed a couple of fly-outs and visits to other flying groups in between national lockdowns. However, two attempts at a Priory Farm fly-in during the Summer of 2021 were both abandoned. On the plus side, there was a welcome influx of cash from the local council’s pandemic survival fund, part of which was spent on club accommodation. Most striking was the new veranda outside the club hut, named in honour of our late and popular stalwart, Paul Bennett. The weather station was modernised and remote Internet access to it greatly improved; a new surveillance camera and security lights fitted; second-hand armchairs replaced with new seating; and a new water heater installed. The January 2022 hangar census revealed 26 serviceable aircraft, plus nine dismantled and/or preserved—not counting the hot air balloons, which three members bring in by road for regular launches.